Height-adjustable multi-function desk

ABSTRACT

A workstation system ( 1 ) has an office desk with a seated work area and a standing working area. A support frame ( 10 ) is height-adjustable in the vertical axis H for synchronously adjusting the height of two desktops (T 1,  T 2 ) attached to the frame at different work levels (A 1,  A 2 ) to form respective seated and standing working areas. The desktops (T 1,  T 2 ) are attached to the support frame at a fixed distance to each other in the vertical axis H. The upper desktop (T 2 ) is arranged above the working level (A 1 ) of the lower desktop (T 1 ) in the vertical axis.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a 371 U.S. National Phase of International Application No. PCT/EP2020/075981, filed Sep. 17, 2020, which claims priority to German Patent Application No. 10 2019 130 840.2, filed Nov. 15, 2019. The entire disclosures of the above applications are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

The disclosure relates to a height-adjustable multi-function desk, in particular, an office work desk used while sitting or standing.

Height-adjustable desks are known in different embodiments in the prior art. In the desks and office workstations known in the prior art and widely used, the user is usually limited to a workstation having one desk, which results in predominantly sedentary activities. Known desks and workstation systems are currently designed as individual functional units independent from each other, which users can arrange in any desired arrangement. If possible, conventional offices are organized in such a way that all work equipment, such as telephone, keyboard, mouse, screen and other work equipment, is within reach. Such workstation systems often have rolling cabinets, where additional work equipment is accessible and within reach to the user. There are even studies by REFA—the German industrial engineering association—that capture down times to tenths of seconds in order to realize the time-saving operation of work equipment and peripherals, including printing and retrieving the printed sheets.

The idea underlying this concept, that every tenth of a second of time savings through quick access to documents and equipment increases performance and efficiency, works well for machines, but not for the people who are supposed to operate at such work stations.

For humans, physiological and physical factors and characteristics determine performance and efficiency. The increase of adverse health effects caused by sedentary office work is reflected in the increasing medical conditions of people performing such office work. More and more people suffer from so-called lifestyle diseases caused by constant, hours-long sitting in the office.

In the office chair sector, so-called active-dynamic seating has already been developed to enable the chair user to sit actively.

But the problem remains that the user or, for example, the office worker rarely moves away from his/her chair and thus continues to be predominantly sedentary despite the new chair. In the meantime, there are a number of findings documenting the need for alternating standing and seated activities, thus promoting active movement in the office.

In recent decades, office workstations have been designed according to technical and economic aspects, sometimes also considering aesthetic factors. But considerations to design a human working environment according to the needs of a worker's specific genetic makeup and his/her physiological particulars are new and, so far, uncommon. One disadvantage in the prior art is the fact that there are no furniture systems customized for the user, which are technically suitable for office activities. Not every kind of movement is good for people as a matter of principle and not all movement is equal in importance. Rather, what matters is the quality of the movement, a statement that is corroborated by the latest scientific findings.

Desk systems are known from DE 10033216 A1, that make it possible to easily change the dimensions of the work surface without tools, in addition to being height-adjustable. No tools are necessary for these adjustments and changes. Thus, the desk according to the disclosure is easily and quickly adaptable to a wide variety of applications. In addition to the height adjustment, the particular advantage is the ability to change the width of the work surface. However, this height-adjustable desk with adjustable desk top consists of several basic elements and therefore cannot easily be installed in locations with limited space. Furthermore, there is a demand for frequently moving from a seated position to a standing position and vice versa without major adjustments and changes.

DE 10102484 B4 discloses a height-adjustable desk. In particular, it discloses a sit-stand workstation with at least two telescoping desk legs, whose synchronization and weight balancing is conducted via a synchronized cable drive. The drive has two synchronization cables guided crosswise in opposite directions, which are guided via double-guide pulleys to the ends of the telescoping desk legs. The synchronized cable drive is directly associated in a force-locking manner with at least one cable drive having a respective drive shaft. Also, each synchronization cable respectively is looped around at least one drive shaft at least once or, depending on the required power transmission, multiple times, and then continues in a synchronized manner.

There are a number of other adjustment devices to adjust the height of a desk by a motor, via gas springs, or by a gear system.

Such systems are complex in their designs and require a comparatively long time to change positions in order to be able to move from a seated to a standing work position.

However, the present disclosure relates not only to the variability and adjustability of a work desk, in particular an office work desk, in principle, but to a solution for the space-optimized realization of the Active Office concept. The core of this concept is a desk arrangement known under the brand name ‘active office desk®’, specifically a unique work surface combination including a standing and a seated workstation, that are connected by an angled foot. The standing height and the seated height each are electrically adjustable and thus are individually adaptable to the specific needs of the operator and user. The user thus has the option of switching back and forth between the standing and seated work surfaces either on a task-by-task or time-related basis. The resulting work dynamic can be easily integrated into the workflow, due to the fact that the height of each desk can be adjusted appropriately to the user's measurements. Such workplace systems are known from DE 102016103433 A1, which also was filed by the applicant of the present disclosure. This provides for a standing and seated workplace to be created side by side, between which a user can switch back and forth. However, many offices, especially smaller offices, do not have enough space to install such arrangements. There is, then, a demand for a space-saving arrangement and solution in order to be able to realize an “Active Office Concept” even with less space.

One particular problem is the fact that people have different leg lengths and body sizes. Thus, there are not only small people with short legs, but also small people with long legs and a short torso, for example. Likewise, there are tall people who may have long legs and a short torso. Due to the variety of possible dimensions of leg length, upper body length and overall height, it is difficult to provide a corresponding, easy-to-use, height-adjustable desk. Workplace analysis has shown that height-adjustable desks are not regularly adjusted, e.g., not adjusted every 10 to 15 minutes, but only sporadically. However, the “Active Office Concept” only shows its effect if the change in position is conducted frequently and regularly throughout the day.

Therefore, the problem underlying the disclosure is to overcome the aforementioned disadvantages and to realize a space-saving desk concept in order to be able to perform an active style of working and specifically to quickly move from a seated position to a standing position and vice versa.

SUMMARY

This problem is solved by the combination of characteristics according to a workstation system comprising an office desk having a seated work area and a standing working area. A support frame is height-adjustable along the vertical axis for synchronously adjusting height of two desktops attached to the frame at different work levels to form respective seated and standing working areas. The desktops are attached to the support frame at a fixed distance to each other on the vertical axis. The upper desktop is arranged above the working level of the lower desktop along the vertical axis.

According to the disclosure, a workplace system has an office desk or work station desk with a seated work area and a standing working area. The system comprises a support frame height-adjustable in the vertical axis H for synchronously adjusting the height of two desktops attached to the frame at different work levels for forming a respective seated and standing working area. The two desktops are attached to the support frame at a fixed distance to each other in the vertical axis H. The upper desktop is arranged above the working level of the lower desktop, as seen in the vertical axis, and consequently protrudes into the working area above the lower desktop.

Advantageously, the distance from the top of the lower desktop to the top of the upper desktop is selected in the range between 27-39 cm, preferably in the range between 31-36 cm. A distance of 33 cm is particularly advantageous, since this reference matches the average body dimensions.

Due to this novel solution, a single desk can simultaneously provide its user with work surfaces for seated and standing activities. The top of the lower desktop is typically positioned around 74 cm above the floor, while the upper work surface of the second desktop is arranged at the aforementioned distance of 33 cm, resulting in a height of about 107 cm.

Thus, people, i.e. users, who are taller than the assumed average person have to move the upper desktop slightly upwards when changing positions and people of a comparatively smaller height have to lower the upper desktop a little, that is, move it downwards. However, unlike the prior art, it is not necessary in the solution according to the disclosure to move the desktop up and down about 30 to 40 cm each time, but only about +/−7 cm or even less.

The user therefore is able to switch between seated and standing activities, and vice versa, quickly and comfortably. During the small height adjustments of, e.g., 7 cm still required for certain users, the user does not have the feeling that he/she is waiting a long time for the desk position to be adjusted, but can immediately continue to work. If a user, e.g. one of a smaller height, only desires a standing work level of 100 cm, he or she can set the height correction factor to −7 cm, and the system will only require this adjustment in height.

Thus, in one advantageous embodiment of the disclosure, a height adjustment device requires a travel of no more than 14 cm. It has been shown that a height adjustment of about +/−3 cm is sufficient for the vast majority of users.

In one preferred embodiment of the disclosure, the upper and lower desktops are made from respective single pieces and/or single components. For example, the metal desktop can be manufactured from a single sheet by bending it in a forming process.

In another advantageous solution, the lower and upper desktops are connected by a vertical desk section or, alternatively, by a connecting section.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the disclosure the upper desktop has a width that corresponds to about 30-60%, preferably about 50% of the width of the lower desktop.

For example, the left half of the desk can have a lower desktop section and another desktop section arranged above the lower section, while the working area in the adjacent right half of the desk is formed only by the lower desktop.

The “sandwich-style” arrangement of the desktops (with the defined distance) in the standing work area thus offers the option to use the space underneath the standing work surface as well.

Consequently, one preferred embodiment of the disclosure provides that the work surface of the upper desktop is positioned directly above the lower desktop, at a distance of about 33 cm, as seen in a perpendicular projection onto the lower desktop. Thus, the remaining working area of the lower desktop, above which no section of the upper desktop is located, is freely accessible from above and defines a seated work area.

Another, also preferred, embodiment of the disclosure provides for a control device (preferably controllable via an APP on a mobile device), that performs an automatic height adjustment for a user, or is capable of doing so. For this purpose, the control device detects whether a specific user (identified via a user interface) is in the seated or standing position at the desk, whereupon the control device, depending on personal data stored for that user, in particular with regard to one or more body dimensions (such as leg length, height, torso length, etc.), performs an automatic height adjustment to accommodate a seated or standing position, as needed. It is also conceivable that a height adjustment is performed automatically after a certain length of stay in a respective position, such that the action requires the user to change his position.

Herein, an APP or user software can be designed to store all user behavior and to evaluate the data. The user furthermore can store individual data, such as the desired height correction factor according to his or her height.

It also is advantageous if a facial recognition device is provided, that uses biometric data to automatically, or in response to a user request, recognize the respective desk user (especially if it is used by multiple users) and then automatically adjusts the desk height stored for this user via the control device.

It is further advantageous if the control device provides additional communication channels and interfaces to enable communication and an active user behavior at the work desk. Each user channel can be individually adjusted or adapted to the needs of the desk user, for which the software offers customizable or selectable presets. In addition to the control device, the desk can also have devices, sensors and actuators, that perform the desired actions or commands when the respective unit is addressed via a communication channel. For example, a sensor system for detecting the position of a desk user may be provided. A phone can then automatically read the position characteristic (e.g. users not present) via a communication channel and send a corresponding response to the caller. A lighting sensor can offer the user the option of adjusting the illumination of the desk depending on the position, or offer similar lighting changes. In general, a plurality of APPs can be connected, such that communication with software applications in addition to conventional communication with other persons is possible. These can be utilized actively by the desk user or passively via a command or an instruction. In this manner, various functions can be integrated into the control of the desk and an “intelligent” desk is provided. The overall movement patterns and number of desk adjustments and, therefore, position changes also can be used as base data for further software applications. In addition, an interface between a virtual secretary and the desk user can be installed, that also can be realized by the control device.

It is further advantageous to design the orientation of the front edge of the upper desktop, which is directed toward a user, at an oblique angle of about 30° to the orientation of the front edge of the lower desktop. It also is conceivable that the upper desktop is designed to be able to swivel via a joint, much like a rotary file system swivels around its axis. Thus, the user can adjust the angle and the position of the upper desktop as desired. Furthermore, the swiveling motion makes it possible, if necessary, to use the area of the lower desktop which in the initial position is covered by the upper desktop.

To ensure a stable standing work surface, a vertical support strut extends between the lower desktop and the upper desktop. This way, the user is able to lean on the desktop for a more-relaxed standing position.

If it is desired that the height of the lower desktop should also be variable, an additional height adjustment range can be realized for the lower desktop by making it height-adjustable by approx. 30-40 cm through the addition of a telescope.

Another aspect of the present disclosure relates to a device and a method for setting up and adjusting the height of a desktop of a workstation system as described above. The device is equipped with a control system for the automatic or user-activated synchronous adjustment of the height of the desktops of the workstation, when switching from a seated to a standing position, and/or vice versa, for an individual user, having the following steps:

-   -   1. Entering user-specific physical data, such as height, leg         length or torso length of a user;     -   2. Setting a first height position of the lower desktop for the         user, which corresponds to a desired height for working in the         seated position;     -   3. Determining whether the height of the upper desktop at the         height position of the lower desktop matches the corresponding         body measurements for a reference user stored in the system and,         if a deviation is detected, store a height correction value in         the range between +/−7 cm, such that, in case of an actual or         detected change of this user from the seated position to the         standing position, the controller performs, either automatically         or user-prompted, a height adjustment according to the height         correction value, and a corresponding correction is performed in         the opposite direction when the user returns from the standing         position to a seated position.

DRAWINGS

Other advantageous further developed embodiments of the disclosure are characterized in the dependent claims and/or are described in more detail through the drawings in conjunction with the description of the preferred embodiment.

FIG. 1 is a perspective rear view of a first exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a perspective front view of the desk from FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 3 is a side elevation view from the front of the desk from FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 4 is a side elevation view from the rear of the desk from FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 5 is a top plan view from above onto the desk from FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 5A is a top plan view of a variant with a swiveling upper desktop;

FIG. 6 is a perspective front view of a second exemplary embodiment

FIG. 7 is a perspective rear view of the desk from FIG. 6 ;

FIG. 8 is a perspective front view of a third exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 9 a top view from above onto the desk from FIG. 8 ; and

FIG. 10 is a perspective front view of another embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following, the disclosure is explained in more detail with reference to FIGS. 1 to 8 . Identical reference numbers in the drawings indicate identical functional and/or structural characteristics.

FIGS. 1, 6 and 8 show three exemplary embodiments of workstation systems according to the disclosure, namely office desks 1. The desks 1 have respective support frames 10 including a left desk frame 10 a and a right desk frame 10 b. Each has a height-adjustable column 12, at the top of which a bracket 13 is provided for the support of the lower desktop T1.

The desks 1 define a seated work area in these embodiments essentially in the right half of desk 1 and a standing work area essentially in the left half of the desk 1. An expanded user area for the seated position, and thus the seating area, is formed below the upper desktop T2.

The support frame 10, height-adjustable along the vertical axis H, is used for the synchronous height adjustment of the two desktops T1, T2 attached to the support frame 10 at different working levels A1, A2.

The desktops T1, T2 are mounted to the support frame at a fixed distance of 33 cm in the vertical axis H to each other. The upper desktop T2 is arranged above the working level A1 of the lower desktop T1 as seen in the vertical axis. In the exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 1 to 5 , the upper and lower desktops T1, T2 are formed of one piece.

As shown in FIGS. 2, 7 and 8 , the lower and upper desktops T1, T2 are connected to each other via a vertical desk section T3.

The top views in FIGS. 2 and 8 show that the upper desktop T2 has a width B2, that corresponds to about 50% of the width B1 of the lower desktop T1. Furthermore, the drawings show that the orientation of the front edge V2 of the upper desktop T2, which edge is directed toward a user, forms an angle of about 20° to the orientation of the front edge V1 of the lower desktop T1, that is, an angle of 160° between the edges.

The drawings of the different embodiments also show that a vertical support strut 30 extends between the lower desktop T1 and the upper desktop T2.

In the lower view of FIG. 5 , the upper desktop is not connected to the lower desktop as one piece. Here, the upper desktop can be rotated via a joint, namely a rotary column D, about the column axis by a desired rotation angle. Thus, the user can adjust the angle and position of the upper desktop according to his/her personal needs. In this context, one option is to attach a rail system S to the lower desktop, which engages with a leg S protruding downward from the upper desktop via a linkage on the lower end of the leg (e.g., a set of rollers), such that the upper desktop is supported during the rotational movement. The leg can be attached to the desktop at its upper end. See FIG. 10 .

It is particularly advantageous if a guide rail F is mounted flush in the desktop, such that no inconvenient edges protrude from the desktop.

Another alternative solution is to provide a leg that extends along the side edge of the desk or at another suitable location that is least intrusive to the user from the lower desktop upward to the bottom of the upper desktop. It is advantageous if there is a roller bearing at the upper end of said leg, on which the upper desktop is supported, preferably a roller bearing that is arranged in a rotatable manner. If the upper desktop is then rotated into a position desired by the user, the desktop moves on top of the support leg and is thus supported.

The embodiments of the disclosure are not limited to the aforementioned preferred embodiments. Rather, a number of variants are conceivable, that make use of the solution shown here even if they arrive at fundamentally different versions. 

1.-12. (canceled)
 13. A workstation system comprising: an office desk having a seated work area and a standing working area; a support frame height-adjustable along the vertical axis synchronously adjusting height of two desktops attached to the frame at different work levels for forming respective seated and standing working areas; the desktops are attached to the support frame at a fixed distance to each other on the vertical axis and the upper desktop is arranged above the working level of the lower desktop along the vertical axis.
 14. The workstation system according to claim 13, wherein the upper and lower desktops are formed from a single piece and/or a single component.
 15. The workstation system according to claim 13, wherein the distance of a top from the lower desktop to a bottom of the upper desktop lies in the range between 27-39 cm preferably in the range between 31-36 cm, further preferably is 33 cm.
 16. The workstation system according to claim 13, wherein the lower and upper desktops are connected to each other via a vertical desk section.
 17. The workstation system according to claim 13, wherein the upper desktop has a width that corresponds to about 30-60%, preferably 50%, of a width of the lower desktop.
 18. The workstation system according to claim 13, wherein a work surface of the upper desktop is positioned directly above the lower desktop in a perpendicular projection onto the lower desktop, such that the remaining working area of the lower desktop, above which no section of the upper desktop is located, is freely accessible from above and defines the seated work area.
 19. The workstation system according to claim 13, wherein a control device detects whether an identified user is in the seated or standing position at the desk, and the control device, depending on personal data stored for that user, in particular with regard to one or more body dimensions, performs an automatic height adjustment in a range of −7 cm to +7 cm, preferably −3 to +3 cm, to accommodate a seated or standing position.
 20. The workstation system according to claim 13, wherein orientation of a front edge of the upper desktop that is directed toward a user, is at an angle of about 30° to an orientation of a front edge of the lower desktop.
 21. The workstation according to claim 13, wherein a vertical support strut extends between the lower desktop and the upper desktop.
 22. The workstation system according to claim 13, wherein a height adjustment device is provided with a travel of no more than 14 cm.
 23. The workstation system according to claim 13, wherein the lower and upper desktops are connected to each other via a joint, such that the upper desktop can be rotated relative to the lower desktop about a rotary axis while maintaining the working levels.
 24. A method for setting up and adjusting the height of a desktop of a workstation system according to claim 13, that is equipped with a control system for the automatic or user-activated synchronous adjustment of the height of the desktops of the workstation, when switching from a seated to a standing position, and/or vice versa, for an individual user comprising the steps of: Entering user-specific physical data, such as height, leg length or torso length of a user; Setting a first height position of the lower desktop for the user, that corresponds to a desired height for working in the seated position; Determining whether the height of the upper desktop at the height position of the lower desktop matches the corresponding body measurements for a reference user stored in the system and, if a deviation is detected, store a height correction value in the range between +/−7 cm, such that, in case of an actual or detected change of this user from the seated position to the standing position, the controller performs, either automatically or user-prompted, a height adjustment according to the height correction value, and a corresponding correction is performed in the opposite direction when the user returns from the standing position to a seated position. 